Hey how can I do this? I'm aware of fiberglass tape wick but I think the wrapping diameter around those skinny wire handles will be too tight to really work . . . maybe I need silicone tape like Tommy Tape?

Any other good ideas?

I feel like this will make the kettle a TON more usable. As it stands now, once the kettle gets hot, the only place I can pick it up with bare hands is by the insulated handle in the center of the lid. Thanks goodness for that tight fit . . .

Why couldn't MSR insulate the handles such as on the Evernew Ti pots? Trying to keep the weight competitive?

Ian, I figure I owe you this one since I tried this first on the SP 700 I got from you. On the SP stuff atleast just pop off the handles and run the small silicone tube over it. I ran it around the bends to help hold it in place. Fit is excellent. I am not sure of the Titan handle diameter, but assume it is similar. I will say it is not the easiest to run the tube over the handle, but seems to be well worth the trouble. You can buy 8' of this stuff for about $2...on the cheap at any pet supply. Also I do think the use of a medical glove helps get a grip on the tubing. I did also use some hot water to make it more pliable.

You might check out a product that's described by Jason as "silicone" from "Smooth On" in his following comment for a BPL thread that discusses the insulated handles on an Evernew .9L titanium pot used with a Caldera cone:

"I am a big fan of the insulated handles on the evernew .9, and have not have problems with handles and the caldera stove.

"I have recently switched to the ti-tri and am going to try to coat those handels as well with silicon from smooth-on."

Hmm that airline thing sounds good! Also, I guess if needed I could order some thicker stuff from McMaster for more heat resistance.

I'm curious about "popping off" the handles. I don't have my Titan in front of me so I can't take a look, but do I take it rightly that the handles must not be closed loops? They're just, what, C-shaped (ish)?

Then I'm envisioning that you just pull up and down at the same time to pop the handles out of the welded plate. Is this right? Does that not deform the handles in a way that makes it tight to get a good factory fit again once they're put back in? Enlighten me.

Yes, just a "C" shape maybe 3/8 inch into the sleeve. I will say it is not at tight as new, but as we all find after about a dozen times of folding our handles in and out they loosen slighty. There was already play from top to bottom so I simply pushed all the way to the top an popped the end out. I didn't seem to bend it, just flexed it. I reversed this to put them back. I gave an additional squeeze after they went back into the sleeve to tighten as much as possible. Once again this is on the SP. What MSR did w/ the Titan I don't know.

I always leave the handles sticking out, rather than folded in flush, when I have my Titan Kettle on a Snow Peak GST100 canister stove. I can bring the Kettle to the boil and then pick it up by the top of the handles quite easily. They are rarely more than warm out at the corners.

I have found the handles get a bit warmer with a Coleman Xtreme stove, as this has a wider burner. But I only use this stove in the snow. Cooling the top of the handles under these conditions requires a very complex operation involving a small lump of snow ...

Maybe the problem you have is a burner which is too big for the Kettle?

Roger, my problem up to now may have been the burner setup. But given that I'm getting on the Caldera bandwagon very shortly, this could be a moot point. A Caldera Cone should keep the pot's handles quite cool right?

But really, I just want to figure out a way to insulate the handles for that extra usability margin, and to overall add a little versatility to this little pot.

A friend still has my borrowed Titan so, Roger, do you know if its handles are C-shaped like the SP mug?

Oh yeah, I mean I know how they're shaped, I just want to know if they're closed loops or open under that spot-welded plate. If they're closed they can't be removed, but if they're open "c-shaped" then I should be able to get them out just as has been done with the SP mug handles.

Re: Just a Picture of the Insulated Handles
on 04/08/2008 00:06:56 MDT

Hey thanks man, that turned out really good for you!

I'm speculating: if you used a segment of tubing about a half-inch or inch longer then the ends of the tubing would squish up against the walls of the pot, which would probably go a long way toward A) making the handles rattle a lot less, and B) reducing the annoying amount of free swing that the handles currently have, i.e. creating a stiffer hinge.

Could be worth a try.

I get my Titan back from my friend tomorrow morning. Excited to play with it.

Just so people know, I did the thing with the silicone tubing mentioned above. I had no trouble whatsoever making this work with the Titan Kettle, and the handles aren't bent out of shape or awkwardly loose after being reattached to the pot . . . so if you want to try, don't fear--it works!